Stunning New Zealand

Day 1 – Arrive Auckland
On arrival in Auckland, ‘The City of Sails’, seat in coach passengers will be met by our local representative and privately transferred to your hotel. Self drive clients will collect your rental car at the airport and drive to your hotel.

Day 2 – Auckland – Waitomo – Rotorua
Travel south through the fertile Waikato region to arrive at Waitomo. Enjoy a guided tour of the famous Glowworm Caves including an underground boat ride followed by lunch. Continue to Rotorua and visit Agrodome Farm Show on arrival followed by a guided tour and Maori Cultural Performance at Te Puia Thermal Reserve. (B,L)

Day 3 – Rotorua – Napier
This morning is at leisure. Depart for Napier this afternoon and travel south through the Wairakei Geothermal area. Continue through Taupo and around part of Lake Taupo (New Zealand’s largest lake), over rugged mountain ranges and well cultivated farmland to arrive in the ‘Art Deco’ city of Napier. (B)

Day 4 – Napier
This morning is at your leisure to explore Napier, before joining an afternoon wine tour that will visit and include tastings at 3 local wineries. (B)

Day 5 – Napier – Wellington
Travel through the Manawatu Gorge and Takapau Plains to Palmerston North, famous for its agricultural university. Continue south to arrive in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. (B)

Day 6 – Wellington
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Wellington and a short guided tour of Te Papa (the ‘Museum of New Zealand’) before enjoying a free afternoon to explore New Zealand’s capital city. (B)

Day 7 – Wellington – Christchurch
Journey across Cook Strait, which separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand and into the Marlborough Sounds with its sparkling clear waters and lush forests, before arriving in Picton. Travel south through Blenheim and Kaikoura to reach the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch. (B)

Day 8 – Christchurch – Dunedin
Travel south across the Canterbury Plains to reach Scottish influenced Dunedin, renowned for the local wildlife and Otago University. (B)

Day 9 – Dunedin – Queenstown
This morning is free for optional activities. Departing Dunedin this afternoon, travel inland through the Central Otago towns of Lawrence and Clyde before arriving in Cromwell. Continue through the Kawarau Gorge to arrive in Queenstown in the early evening. (B)

Day 10 – Queenstown
A free day to explore the endless optional attractions available. Queenstown offers bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting, gondola rides and much more. Optional activities not included in the tour price. (B)

Day 11 – Queenstown – Glacier Region
Depart Queenstown and travel via Lake Wanaka and through the historic Haast Pass, gateway to the World Heritage Westland National Park. Continue up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the glacier region of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. (B)

Day 12 – Glacier Region – Greymouth – Christchurch
Travel north to Greymouth and board the world famous Tranz Alpine train (seat in coach passengers only). Ascend through lush beech forests past the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass before crossing the spectacular Southern Alps. Travel over Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. (B)

Day 13 – Departure Day
Your arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or the return of your rental car.